Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Chardham Tours in India


Char dham is largely recognized for an abode of god in India. There are four different abodes of god is positioned in four different place in India i.e. a puri in the Dwarka in the west region, east region, Rameshwaram in the south region, and Badrinath in the north region. Kedarnathand, Yamunatri, Gangotri, and Badrinath. All four places are the most famed spiritual Pilgrimage tours in India that is positioned in lap of Indian Himalayas.

The most popular temple city of Haridwar holds the gateway to the char dham. However, Rishikesh and haridwar, Dehradun is a capital of Uttaranchal, to provide access to them. North India's pilgrimage hosts the number of Hindu temples that you can visit when you are on your Char Dham Yatra. The holy rivers like Ganga and Yamuna are known for their historical importance that has held Hindu faith instilled in the people of India. All the ancient scriptures of Hindu literature speak highly about these rivers and their holistic importance.

Yamunotri word is resultant from the famed Indian River Yamuna, and it is located in Uttrarkashi district of Uttarakhand and it is known for a chota char Dham Hindu pilgrimage destination in India. But it holds the high position among pilgrims, as it is believed to be the seat of Goddess Yamuna. A complete day has to be spent in order to reach here from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. However, the real test lies in the 6 hour walk from Hanuman Chotti that is the last motor ably accessible place. You need to walk a long stretch in order to visit the holy place. The hot spring here is a geographical speculates and is used to cook prasad out of rice.

The Gangotri word is appear from the main Indian River Ganga, and it is the abode of Goddess Ganga. Gangotri spiritual pilgrimage destination is positioned in banks of the river Bhagirati.The goddess is worshiped every evening and the whole ritual is a must see when you are visiting Char Dham in India. The whole majestic view of thousands of earthen lamps floating on the river has a mesmerizing effect. Therefore; it is listed lofty in both religious and geographical terms. It is connected by day’s journey from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun. You can as well alternatively take a 2 day’s journey from Yamunotri. When you travel by road you are able to see more visits by pilgrims than Yamunotri. Gomukh, which is the actual existing source of the Ganga, is the 17 km trek from here. An overnight stay holds a lot of more exploit. It is one of the most daring spots that attracts adventure travelers each year to explore the power of River Ganga.

Kedarnath and Badrinath are the 2 famous holy places for devotion. 1000s of devotees visit these shrines with profound religious feeling from all over the world every year. According to Indian religious books Badrinath and Kedarnath are measured as the most famous devotional places of India.

Monday, January 4, 2010

How to Celebrate 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar


2010 Kumbh Mela is the world main largest religious gathering festival starting from 14 January. According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Festival' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.


2010 Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four places of India.

In 2010 Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Date for 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The main dates are 14 Jan, 12 and 13 Feb, 15 Mar and 14 April 2010.


Step 1:- Visit Kumbh Mela Fair during March and April, in Haridwar, where the Ganga flows out of the Himalayas. Prayag, Allahabad will crowd next Kumbh Mela in 2013 at the confluence the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati sacred rivers. In 2015, Nasik, along the Godavari river, is the festival site and in 2016, Ujjain, will welcome Kumbh Mela pilgrims.


Step 2:- After reaching Kumbh Mela in Haridwar take a bath on dates according to lunar cycles. Bathing in the sacred waters of River Ganges (Ganga), along which Kumbh Mela festivals are located, purifies karma and brings good fortune. Along with Pray with millions of pilgrims to add spiritual efforts to the consciousness of all pilgrims.


Step 3:- Have early morning bath (Prayag Snan) in the holy waters of River Ganges. Bathing daily and on specified bathing dates is the purpose of Kumbh Mela. It is said that bathing in the Ganga is like bathing in nectar. The main bathing date for 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The most important dates are 14 Jan, 12 and 13 Feb, 15 Mar and 14 April 2010.


Step 4:- Go back to camp for meditation and prayers. And then throughout the day, perform Puja (worship of a deity), Kumbha Darshan, or practice your personal sadhana. Each evening, at sundown, gather for divine aarti (closing devotional ceremony) on the banks of the holy waters.


Step 5:- Do not fail to remember shop at the marketplaces in Haridwar. Kumbh Mela has an atmosphere of a fair with shops and attractions for pilgrims. Along with fruits, vegetables for offerings and for eating, blankets and other necessities, you can find tiger claws (not recommended) and can pay to watch.


2010 Kumbh Mela Haridwar - Kumbh Mela 2010 Dates


Kumbh Mela is one of the world largest and oldest religious gatherings held by Hindus believing that the waters of the Ganges change into nectar on this auspicious time. People from all over the world contribute here for a holy dip in the divine water of Ganga as they think it eliminates all the evil and past time sins from an individual's life.


Kumbh Mela Location


The Kumbh Mela is held on a rotational basis in 4 of the most holy Hindu places in India - the Shipra River in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of the Godavari River in Nashik (Maharastra), the Ganges River in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and convergence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad/Prayag (Uttar Pradesh). The Kumbh Mela is held in each place once every 12 years


Experience the Kumbh Mela 2010 at Haridwar


Soon, the complete holy town of Haridwar would be reverberating with Vedic chants and temple bells. Yogis, Rishis, and Sadhus would over-pack Haridwar. Pilgrims and devotees would be demanding taking a sacred dip in the divine waters of the Ganges and observing rites and rituals. Therefore one can experience the most surreal scenes on the riverbanks of the Ganges throughout Kumbh Mela. From dawn till dusk, rituals and rites continue.


Kumbh Mela Pilgrims:


Naga Babas, a big Kumbh Mela attraction for all, keep themselves demanding meditating and practicing different yogic positions. These Naga Babas remain unclothed, with long matted hair and the body smeared in ashes. It is interesting to observe that the extremities of weather conditions do not affect them.

Shrishasins who keep themselves in the standing pose round the clock. They remain demanding meditating standing upside down.

Yogis of the Parivajakas sects who observe total silence. In way to clear the way, they do not say a word except tinkle little bells.

Kalpvasis - who remain by the river banks and devote their era to meditating, performing rituals, and bathing several times a day.

Urdhwavahurs Yogis, who believe in observing self mortification.


Sacred bathing at the Mela:


The India most important ritual of the Kumbh Mela is the ceremonial dip in the water. The Hindus think that a bath in the holy waters will cleanse them and their ancestor´s evil and past sin. This would make sure their salvation or moksha from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Ritual bathing is done in the release on the banks of river with absolute submergence of the body under water and an oblation to the sun. The most favorable day for the ritual Kumbh bath is on the day of the new moon. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day. After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and continue to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discourses from the various Yogis.


Kumbh Mela 2010 Dates


14 January, 2010 Makar Sankranti

15 January, 2010 Mauni Aamavasya - Suryagrahan Snan

20 January, 2010 Basant Panchami

30 January, 2010 Maagh Purnima

12 February, 2010 Shre Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan

15 March, 2010 Somawati Aamavasya Shahi Snan

16 March, 2010 Navsamvarambh Snan

24 March, 2010 Shree Ramnavami Snan

30 March, 2010 Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan)

14 April, 2010 Mesha Sankranti Shahi Snan - Mukhya Snan Parv

28 April, 2010 Vaisakh Aadhimaas Purnima